Women Ministries of the Great Lakes Conference

Women Ministries of the Great Lakes Conference Connecting the women of the Great Lakes Conference of The Evangelical Covenant Church to impact our world and advance God's kingdom through women.

08/17/2026

Portage Lake Bible Camp
October 2-4

A time to draw near to God as well as one another
Our Fall Women’s Retreat is going to be a great weekend!
We are also adding an exciting new element. We are going to spoil you with a delicious dinner served to your table! You do not want to miss it!


Camp is always better with friends, So grab your girls and come join us for Women’s Retreat! Here are some fun ways to save:

Group Deal: Round up a squad of 5 or more and everyone pays just $165 each.

Bring a Newbie: Invite someone new (ages 16–25) and you BOTH get in for only $160 each.

Because let’s be real… everything’s better when you share it with friends!

DSC07458
What to bring
Bedding (beds are either twin or full)
Pillow
Bible & notebook
Towels
Toiletries
Alarm clock
Warm clothes (nights may be chilly)
Walking shoes

08/17/2026

Join us for our 2026 Women's Retreat
Mission Meadows
September 11-13, 2026

Our speaker for the weekend is Pastor Kelly Hicks and our focus for the retreat is Fully Known & Truly Loved.

We were created with a deep longing to be known, chosen, and loved. It's a desire God placed within each of us.

Yet so often we spend our lives striving to earn acceptance, reshaping ourselves to fit the expectations of others, all while longing to be loved for who we truly are.

Are you tired of trying to be who you think everyone else wants you to be? Are you ready to stop believing the lie that who you are isn't enough?

We invite you to come experience the truth that your identity is not something you have to earn—it's something you receive in Christ. Here, you'll discover the freedom of being fully known and truly loved by God.

Come be reminded of who He says you are, walk confidently in that truth and be equipped to live it out and inspire others to do the same.



Pastor Kelly Hicks holds a Bachelor's degree in Church Business Administration with a minor in Theology and has served in full-time ministry for nearly 15 years. She currently serves as the Central Discipleship and Women's Pastor at Countryside Christian Church in Clearwater, Florida, where she is passionate about helping people know God, discover who He created them to be, and help them live out that calling with confidence and purpose.

Kelly and her husband, Justin, who serves as the Central Groups & Men's Director at Countryside Christian Church, have been married for 13 years. Together they are the grateful parents of three miracle children—Judah, Autumn, and Josiah. Their family is living the life they once prayed for, and they are passionate about encouraging others to trust God's faithfulness, believe His promises, and pursue the life He has prepared for them.

Take advantage of all that camp has to offer; indoor hot tub and pool, indoor climbing wall, pickle ball, archery, arts and crafts, prayer stations, beautiful scenery , and water activities (weather permitting).

Price: $150 /Saturday Only:$100

Friday 3pm-5pm registration to Sunday at 11:00 am

All meals, lodging and activities included

08/17/2026

Women’s Ministry Devotional - God’s Goodness Still Stands
By Min. Rhonda Adams, City Covenant Church, Detroit, MI

Scripture Focus: “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” —Psalm 34:8

What has God done for you? This question invites us to pause, remember, and give thanks. Life can bring disappointment when people fall short, promises are broken, or answers seem delayed. But even when circumstances shift, God’s goodness remains steady.

Psalm 34 reminds us that God hears, delivers, comforts, and provides. He is near to the brokenhearted and faithful to those who seek Him. Encouragement begins when we shift our focus
from the size of the problem to the greatness of our God.

Devotional Thought: You may be facing a challenge, carrying a burden, or waiting for an answer. Be encouraged: God is present, God is faithful, and God is still working. As we reflect on His
goodness, we should also take time for honest self-examination, asking God to search our hearts, reveal what needs to change, and help us walk in obedience. Obedience does not mean life will
never be difficult; it means we can trust the One who walks with us through every season.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness. Help me remember what You have already done, trust You in what I cannot yet see, and praise You while I wait. Search my heart, show
me where I need to grow, and strengthen me to obey You fully. Use my testimony to encourage someone else. Amen.

Call to Action
This week, write down three things God has done for you. Then take a moment for self-examination: ask, “Lord, what are You showing me about my heart, my attitude, and my obedience?” Pray over what He reveals, thank Him for His goodness, and share one testimony with someone who needs hope.

God’s goodness still stands. Praise Him before the answer comes, trust Him while you wait, and ask Him to search your heart as you walk in obedience. Encourage someone else with the testimony He
has given you.

08/13/2026

Women’s Ministry Devotional - A Call to Self-Control
By Min. Rhonda Adams | City Covenant Church, Detroit, MI

Scripture Focus: Titus 2:11-12 reminds us that God’s grace teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.

Self-control is not just willpower—it is surrender. It’s allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, words, emotions, habits, and choices.
Before you react, pause. Before you speak, pray. Before you choose, ask: “Will this honor God?” Your response can become a testimony.

Reflect Today
 Where do I need the Holy Spirit’s help to practice greater self-control?
 What area of my life—speech, attitude, spending, emotions, schedule, or
relationships—needs to be submitted to God?
 What prayer or Scripture can help me choose wisdom before I react?

This Week’s Challenge
Choose one area to practice self-control this week. With God’s help, choose obedience over impulse and grace over reaction.

Personal Commitment: Lord, I will not be ruled by my emotions, appetites, habits, or circumstances. I submit my life to You.

Closing Prayer
Father God, thank You for Your grace. Strengthen me to practice self-control in my thoughts, words, actions, and desires. Let my life point others to Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


06/10/2026

Hannah Prayed!
By Rhonda Adams, City Covenant Church, Detroit, MI

There are seasons in life when the pain we carry is difficult to put into words. We smile in public, keep moving, and do our best to stay strong—yet deep down, our hearts are aching. Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1 reminds us that God welcomes that kind of honesty. He is not afraid of our tears, our disappointment, or the prayers we whisper from a weary soul.

Scripture tells us that Hannah was “in bitterness of soul” and prayed to the Lord while weeping deeply. In that sacred moment, she did not hide her grief. She brought it directly to God. Hannah’s prayer was not polished or pretty—it was real. And sometimes that is the most powerful kind of prayer we can pray.

The phrase “bitterness of soul” speaks to deep sorrow, lingering disappointment, and the weight of unanswered longing. Hannah knew what it meant to hurt. Yet instead of letting pain harden her heart, she let it drive her into the presence of God. That is one of
the most beautiful lessons in her story: when life wounds us, prayer can become our place of surrender and strength.

Hannah also challenges us with her willingness to trust God completely. She longed for a child, yet even before receiving the answer, she was willing to give that blessing back to the Lord. That kind of surrender is rare. It asks us a difficult but necessary question: are we willing to place even our deepest desires in God’s hands?

Maybe your burden looks different from Hannah’s. Maybe you are carrying grief, waiting for breakthrough, or wrestling with a prayer that seems unanswered. Hannah’s story reminds us that God sees, God hears, and God is near to the brokenhearted. Our pain does not disqualify us from faith—it can become the very place where faith grows strongest.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for meeting us in our sorrow and hearing the cries we cannot fully explain. Teach us to come before You with honesty, faith, and surrender. When our
hearts are heavy, remind us that You are still present, still listening, and still working. Help us trust You with the very thing we want most. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection Question: What is one desire, burden, or unanswered prayer that you need to place fully in God’s hands today?

05/31/2026

Women Ministries Devotional: “Crisis to Christ”
by Min. Rhonda Adams, City Covenant Church, Detroit, MI

What’s next? Many of us ask that in seasons of waiting, healing, or change. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that every season has a purpose under heaven.

Reflect on Your Season
“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace. “NIV

Life holds many seasons between birth and peace. In the middle of trials, weariness, and uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and want to give up. Don’t! (Jeremiah 32:27)

When life feels like a crisis, Christ is still present. He invites us to come to Him (Matthew 11:28), find rest (Hebrews 4:3), cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7), and pray about everything (Philippians 4:6-7). From crisis to Christ, we move toward His peace.

Question for response: What season are you in right now, and how is Christ meeting you there?

Share your thoughts: Reflect, journal, or share your response with others.

05/28/2026

Women’s Ministry Devotional
“God’s Plan of Unity: Called to Walk Together
by Min. Rhonda Adams, City Covenant Church, Detroit, MI

What happens when God’s people truly come together as one? From the very beginning, God’s heart was never for isolation, but for connection, fellowship, and shared purpose. Scripture reminds us, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

There are seasons when we may feel disconnected from God and from one another. Life’s struggles, anxiety, pride, misunderstandings, and unresolved conflict can quietly
divide what God intended to be joined together. Yet even in those moments, God’s promise remains steady: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). His presence calls us back to Himself and back to each other.

In creation, we see that unity was always part of God’s design. Genesis 2:22 says that God made woman and brought her to the man. Before that moment, God had already declared, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18). This was more
than the beginning of marriage—it revealed a divine principle: we are created for relationship, support, and partnership under God’s direction. God joins people together so they can reflect His love and fulfill His purpose.

God’s plan has always been for His people to function together in faith, love, and purpose. Unity does not mean we are all the same—it means we are connected by one Spirit, one faith, and one Lord. When we walk in humility, patience, and love, we reveal
the heart of Christ to the world.

So here is the question: Are we building bridges or walls? Are our words bringing healing or division? And what would happen in our homes, churches, and communities if we truly chose God’s plan of unity every day?

05/07/2026

Women Ministries Devotional
“The Subtle Power of Conversation: Staying Spiritually Alert in Vulnerable Seasons”
by Minister Rhonda Adams, City Covenant Church (Detroit, MI)

Some temptations don’t begin with a dramatic moment—they begin with a seemingly harmless exchange. Genesis 3 reminds us that spiritual danger can enter through ordinary dialogue. But what happens if we are tired, lonely, under pressure, simply looking for connection or not alert? And the LORD God said to the woman,
“What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:13kjv What have your thoughts been about Eve? What can the danger be in having just a conversation?

Today, we are cautioned to be alert. In the authenticity of our conversation, it may be seen as an opportunity to prey upon. There are times in our physical, emotional and struggles in life we are in their right place at their right time. Why must we be alert?
Satan has not changed. 1 Peter 5:8 say’s “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

Where can a conversation lead in those vulnerable times of loneliness, needing to feel connected, understood or going through struggles? “Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the
woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

But what did God really say? Genesis 2:16-17niv “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; (17) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall
surely die”.

How was Eve tempted? She was tempted by the lust of the flesh (food), the lust of the eyes (desirability), and the pride of life (desire to be like God).

What might change if, when sin approaches, we paused to consider our witness, our relationships, our reputation, our children, our ministry, our souls—and the Lord? Scripture reminds us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” What is my sin contributing to, and what might it cost?

Reflection Questions
Where am I most vulnerable right now (emotionally, physically, spiritually), and how might that shape the conversations I’m willing to entertain?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your Word that warns and guides us. Give us discernment in our conversations and courage to walk away from anything that pulls us from You. Strengthen us in vulnerable moments, surround us with wise, godly voices, and help us
honor You with our choices—in private and in public. In Jesus’ name, amen.

04/15/2026

Women’s Ministry Devotional - Choosing Gratitude: A Daily Decision
By Rhonda Adams, City Covenant Church, Detroit, MI

When was the last time you completed a survey and noticed the option “prefer not to answer”? While surveys may allow us to skip a response, life often does not. Every day, we are faced with choices that shape our faith and our walk with God.

Scripture reminds us that choosing God is a daily commitment:
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” — Joshua 24:15
“Take up your cross daily…” — Luke 9:23
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” — Romans 12:2

One powerful choice we can make is gratitude. God’s Word encourages us to be thankful in every situation, trusting that His will is working in our lives (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

We may not always control our circumstances, but we can choose how we respond. Each day, choose God. Choose gratitude. Choose to walk in His truth.

Questions to Ponder

 What choice is God inviting me to make today?

 In what area of my life do I need to choose gratitude instead of frustration or fear?

 How can I intentionally practice thankfulness, regardless of my circumstances?

02/16/2026

Women Ministries Devotional – “NO RECORD”
By Rhonda Adams, City Covenant Church, Detroit, MI

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (5) It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5niv)

How do we walk in this type of love? “it keeps no record of wrongs”. Is the heavy in our hearts of the records of wrong we keep? What if we thought about our sins our wrongs against God and how He loves us still? God in His love for us offers us a fresh start.

How would our love look different if we were guilty of “keeping no record of wrongs”?

Hebrews 8:12kjv say’s “For I will be merciful toward their wrongdoings, and their sins I will no longer remember.” What if there was no “Salvation” because God held on to our wrongdoings? How many do we have?

Mercy (Greek: eleos) we show “compassion, kindness and heartfelt concern”.

“It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23kjv

Consumed (Greek: an-al-is'-ko) destroy

I could not experience God’s peace until I began to let go of the hurt, the pain, the disappointment I felt from others. I had become a prisoner in my own body, in my feelings, in my emotions. I was dying within myself, losing my breath daily, losing my mind and the Holy Spirit brought this scripture to my remembrance:

“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7kjv I am GUILTY! The heavy load I chose to carry was lifted.

There is a song “Let Go” by Dwayne Woods. He sings “when I let go and let God have His way”. “casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. 1 Peter 5:7amp

What do you have to rejoice about today? NO RECORD!

What records will you expunge today?
What cares will you cast today?

Address

Columbus, OH

Telephone

+16146576504

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Women Ministries of the Great Lakes Conference posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Place Of Worship

Send a message to Women Ministries of the Great Lakes Conference:

Shortcuts

Share

Category